Any Langsters Left?
 

I am in search of a quick fix. Does anyone know where I can still pick up a langster?
I am looking for a 54. Thanks in advance.

uh, er, where you at?

I was told by a bike shop here in columbus that there'd be more in the middle of august.

But i've also heard they weren't gonna make them anymore

In LA...none around here.

they have a couple at some lbs's here in NYC, but don't know what that does for ya. btw, you sure you want a langster? i test rode one just to check; the ride was pretty harsh, esp. with the aluminum fork. imho.

A better complete bike is a Bianchi Pista, especially for street riding. I had one and it was fine as a first fixed. But they are hard to find too, at least here in NYC. I sold mine in about 5 mins, for exactly what I paid for it even though it was a few months old and had some scuffs on the chrome, because no bike store has them.

yea, i saw your ad on craigslist. good job on the quick turnaround. so far, i'm really liking my pista (my first fixed), except for that damn drivetrain noise.

Ask Lobo!

I saw your ad on craigslist also! I'm amazed that the turnaround is so fast. What's the market like for more high-end track bikes, in say the 1000-1500 range?

haven't seen a high-end track bike recently. but, at least with the pista, the quick turnaround is due to all 11 or so NYC-authorized bianchi dealers (w/ exception of 2 with extreme sizes) being out of stock until 05's roll in. had to go to philly to get mine. some stores up here still have the langsters in most sizes. one could order the KHS flite 100 in any size. one could order di bernardi's in any size. same with Fuji. IRO's are available. not sure about somas and surlys. although i heard this is generally the in-between, transition season for manufacturers. but, not sure if it's track bikes/fixed's which are in such hot demand, but the good-all-around value of the pista. imo.

i think it is much harder to sell a high end bike. most people who spend that kind of cash on a bike want to build it up custom, imo. that is what i did, and it is why i sold my pista -- to pay for those phil wood hubs i was lusting after. bicycle station on vanderbilt ave in propect heights in brooklyn has a pista in the window, size 58 i think. nycbikes.com makes a pretty nice complete track bike for $550, same price as the pista. the rock bottom deal though is recycle a bicycle, which can build you a fixed on a fuji road frame (they get overstocks for real cheap) with very basic parts for $250 or so.

If you like the frame you might consider changing some of the drivetrain parts to get a smoother ride. Swapping out the BB or cranks might do it. I sold mine because I decided I wanted a road frame set up as a fixed rather than a track bike because the geometry is more comfortable. I built up a nice 70s steel racing frame with good track parts and it is perfect for me.

One warning about the Langster is that the Bottom Bracket is a piece of shi-it.

I need to replace mine, I've been riding with a horribly loud clicking sound for about 3 months, the bike shop said I should replace it because they get the same complaint from a bunch of Langster owners. It's not covered by any warranty either.

Other than that I really love my Langster.